Search

Spice Trails of Kerala

Activity types:

Level

Difficulty indicator

Difficulty is measured on many factors such as distance, ascent/descent, terrain, weather and more. There's no magic formula, but from our experience we use yellow for easy, orange for medium and red for hard. Challenger holidays require a high level of fitness and stamina.

Holiday overview

Discover lesser known jewels on a connoisseur’s walking tour and head off on fragrance-filled trails exploring spice-scented hills and tea gardens of Kerala, India. Soak up the rich culture of the royal city of Mysore, and marvel as elephants, bison and tigers sweep through the beautiful Nagarhole National Park. From traditional crafts on display at the bustling Kozhikode markets to colonial bastions like Fort Kochi, the land of Kerala provides a tantalizing look into the past.

Holiday Highlights

Experience nature at her most magnificent in the wildlife haven of Wayanad

Discover lush green mountains and spice-scented cardamom hills

Enchantingly rich culture at historic Mysore and colonial Kochi

Enjoy an evening afloat on our luxury houseboat in a labyrinth of lakes and lagoons

Swaying palms, village strolls and beautiful white sand beaches

In pictures...

Accommodation

From the secluded rainforest lodges at Wayanad to the charming colonial hotels of Kochi and Mysore, our selection of comfortable 3 to 5-star accommodation will be one of the highlights of your holiday. One night aboard our luxury houseboat, and an evening in the Bison safari camp, provide the ideal introduction to the rich and colourful culture of Kerala.

Lemon Tree Hotel, Bangalore - 1nt

Our first evening is at The Lemon Tree, in the "Ulsoor" district of Bangalore, approx 45 mins transfer from the airport. This is a 4-star hotel with high standards, both in terms of accommodation and food. The ideal place for us to enjoy a bit of rest and relaxation after our flight.

Hotel Metropole, Mysore - 1nt

This is a Heritage Hotel located at the heart of Mysore, built as a royal residence of the Maharaja of Mysore. The colonial charm and elegance here give us an insight into days gone by. Its stunning architecture, historical charm, spacious rooms and great service, make our stay here memorable. After our day exploring, we've plenty of time to enjoy a drink in the gardens, or take a dip in the pool before dinner.

The Bison - 1nt

This is unlike any camping you've ever done before! All facilities and comforts of hotel accommodation are found here in this peaceful setting. Perfect wildlife watching opportunities present themselves without any searching. Listening to our hosts tell wildlife tales in the evening around the campfire will be one of many highlights of your holiday.

Plantation Experiences, Wayanad - 2nts

Located in the lush green hills of Wayanad, your accommodation here is set inside a 4,000 acre working tea estate at approx 3,000 ft above sea level. You'll be surrounded by lush tropical forests and mist-clad hills. Rooms are inside two colonial bungalows. This is an opportunity to experience the greenery of the Ghats away from the towns.

Copper Folia, Kozhikode - 1nt

This modern contemporary 4 star hotel has a rooftop pool in which to relax after our days' walks. All rooms are comfortable and spacious. Although in the midst of this bustling township, the hotel has an air of peace and calm surrounded by nearby green space.

Kumarakom Lake Resort - 2nts

Here we're treated again; this time our accommodation is a luxury heritage resort in Kerala. With views overlooking Vembanad lake, you'll not want to leave here. Rooms are airy and air-conditioned, with plenty of space. The beach is only a short stroll across the gardens, which provide the perfect place for spotting butterflies.

Houseboat - 1nt

These rice boats ruled the backwaters of Kerala, transporting rice and coconuts. There are widely varying standards of houseboat, but ours is a higher standard than many others. You'll enjoy comfortable en-suite rooms, simply on-board rather than in a hotel. This is a unique Keralan experience.

Poovath Heritage Hotel, Kochi - 1nt

Set in a restored Dutch palace, this 3 star hotel is a minute's walk from Fort Kochi Beach, a 4-minute walk from St. Francis Church and an 8-minute walk from Santa Cruz Basilica. The elegant rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and desks, as well as minibars, and tea and coffeemakers.

On occasion we may need to change the accommodation listed above. If this happens, your replacement accommodation will be of the equivalent standard or higher. In the rare instance this is not possible, we will contact you in advance.

Itinerary

Spice Trails of Kerala itinerary

The perfect mix of walks and sightseeing. Walks range from 3-6 miles (4.75-9.5km) and include historical city tours, jungle walking safaris, village strolls and scenic spice trails.

Day 1: Outward flight & Bangalore

Overnight flight to garden city of Bangalore (1nt).

Day 3: Mysore

Our journey heads via the 18th century island fortress of Srirangapatna, to the royal city of Mysore (1nt). A walking tour of the city provides an excellent introduction to ancient history and to the wonderfully rich culture of Southern India.

Days 4-5: Nagarhole Sanctuary

Scenic safaris at Nagarhole sanctuary (2nts), once the Maharaja’s reserveand home to elephant, bison, antelope, monkey and tiger. Wildlife walks led by local naturalists give a fantastic introduction to the area.

Days 6-7: Around Wayanad

We enjoy a scenic early morning safari to spot some of Nagarhole’s resident wildlife, before beginning our journey to the cool green hills of Wayanad (2nts). En route we stretch our legs with a stop at the Kuruva islands on the Kabini River.

The following day our walk explores the Banasura foothills, giving us a good introduction to Wayanad, the green paradise of the Western Ghats.

Day 8: to Kozhikode

As the morning mist rises from the lush forest floor, we begin our plantation walk at the Edom Estates. After our walk we leave the serenity and greenery of the hills, and begin our journey to the bustling streets of Kozhikode (Calicut). We stay here for 1 night and can visit the ancient boat building yards of Beypore, and the Kadalundi bird sanctuary.

Day 9-10: Kumarakom Lake Resort

We explore the streets of Kozhikode this morning before boarding the train to Alleppey and our accommodation at the Kumarakom Lake Resort (2nts).

The following day we have time to enjoy the stunning setting of our resort. If you are an early bird you can attend an open-air yoga session, which runs daily. Mid morning we take a leisurely walk. Afterwards we have time to relax, before another short, leisurely walk in the evening as the sun sets.

Day 11: Backwater Cruise

After breakfast we take a short transfer to Alleppey from where we begin a magical cruise through the serene backwaters, a labyrinth of shimmering lagoons and lakes. Our boat is modelled on the traditional Keralan kettuvallum houseboats, once used to ply the backwaters loaded with rice and other staples.

Day 12-13: Kochi & return flight

Our final journey today as we travel the short distance to Kochi. We explore charming Fort Kochi on foot with a guided tour discovering its Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. In the evening we take in a traditional Kathakali performance; the perfect finale before our return flight the following day.

General Information

Passport

To enter India, a passport valid for at least 6 months and with at least two blank pages is required.

Visas

British, Australian, Canadian and US citizens require a e-visa to enter India. This can be done online. Please visit the following website for further information: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html Current cost is $60 (non-refundable) plus a 2.5% credit card charge. You will need to upload a photo and complete the application form online. Please remember to take a copy of the e-visa with you. You can apply for the e-visa minimum 4 days in advance of your travel date, with a window of up to 30 days. The e-visa should be emailed to you within 4 days.

Other nationals should check with their nearest embassy or consulate for details of entry requirements.

Vaccinations are sometimes advised for diphtheria, hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus and polio. Dengue and malaria are both caused by mosquito bites and are prevalent in hot and humid conditions. There are occasional, seasonal outbreaks of dengue fever. Travellers should vigilantly protect themselves against mosquito bites.

Although Kerala lies closer to the equator than most Indian states, it is protected by the mountains of the Western Ghats, which keep out the hot, dry winds from the north. It's lush vegetation is helped by plenty of rain each year, and the Highlands of Kerala enjoy a cool climate during the months we have chosen to travel.

Money

The Rupee (Rs) is the official currency for India. The import and export of local currency is prohibited. Sometimes smaller shops and stalls will not accept notes larger than Rs 500. It is best to carry some smaller notes with you too. In major cities, debit and credit cards cards are generally accepted, including: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. However, in smaller towns and villages, choice is generally narrowed to cash or MasterCard and Visa. Travellers cheques are widely accepted and can be changed at banks and larger hotels. Currency can also be changed at banks, airports or authorised money changers. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange. Traveller’s cheques are not advised.

Drink

Please be aware that the consumption of alcohol is prohibited within the state of Kerala. Anyone found with alcohol can be fined, or worse, receive a prison sentence of up to 5 years.

Time

GMT +5.3 hrs

Tipping

Tips are included on this holiday.

For flights information please see the Dates and Prices tab.

Leaders

Pradeep Murthy

Pradeep worked in management consulting across the globe for close to 15 years before deciding to follow his passion for the outdoors. In his new avatar, he enjoys escorting guests in their discovery of India and delights in showing them the little facets of daily life that so often get missed in a typical "tour".

Pradeep divides his time half and half between the UK and India, making him an ideal leader for your Kerala holiday. He will be leading all our Kerala tours.